Accrington Stanley v Hull City: Windass family torn as Josh lines up against Dad’s heroes

The 21-year-old will be in the Accrington Stanley side looking to bridge a two-division gap in class by knocking Steve Bruce’s men out of the Capital One Cup.

Windass junior, who netted from the penalty spot in the weekend draw at home to promotion hopefuls Luton Town, is an attacking midfielder and dad Dean – Tigers legend and now a club ambassador – believes his son can go far in the game.

“I know I’m his dad so biased but I honestly believe Josh can play in the Premier League,” said the 46-year-old to The Yorkshire Post ahead of tonight’s tie at the Crown Ground.

“He is a level-headed kid and a totally different player to me. He is also 6ft 2in and good looking, so he must have taken after his mother and not me!

“Josh sees things early in games and is a strong lad. He loves to take an opponent on. He’s not one for pinging passes left, right and centre like a Gerrard or Scholes. But, if he can get someone one-on-one, Josh will be past him in no time at all.

“In a way, he reminds me of Ross Barkley. Ross is one of Josh’s mates and I see similarities in his game.”

Windass, in his customary role behind the strikers, will be up against a Tigers outfit fresh from starting their own season with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the Championship.

Bruce has pledged to make changes tonight with Sunday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in mind but he still expects City to have too much for their League Two hosts.

Windass junior, who won the spot-kick he dispatched against Luton by enticing a clumsy foul from defender Jonathan Smith, may have something to say about that.

Dad Dean, for his part, admits that being in the crowd tonight at Stanley is going to be a strange experience.

“I get more nervous watching Josh than I ever did when playing myself,” said the man fired who Hull into the Premier league with ‘that’ volley at Wembley in 2008.

“You are always desperate for your kids to do well and it is going to be a strange night. A mate rang me the minute the draw was made and told me Josh would be playing Hull City.

“I was really chuffed for Josh that he would have the chance to play against my old club. I have told him the spotlight will be on him and he understands that.”

Along with trying to negotiate a way past Accrington and earn a place in Thursday night’s second round draw, Bruce is trying to further strengthen his squad.

Long-time target Andre Gray remains on City’s wishlist despite two bids having been rejected by Brentford. A third offer is understood to have now been made, while Bruce also wants to add Scottish international Shaun Maloney.

Whether either signing can be pushed through before Sunday’s trip to Molinuex remains to be seen but Dame N’Doye’s move to Trabzonspor for around £2.5m was completed.

As for tonight, City will be looking to improve on a poor recent record in the League Cup with last season’s third-round exit – the East Riding club was exempt until then due to being involved in the Europa League – at West Bromwich Albion being a big disappointment.

Among the sides to have beaten Hull from lower divisions in the early rounds of the past few years are Doncaster Rovers, Brentford and Swansea City.

Accrington and attacking midfielder Windass, who was at Huddersfield Town’s Academy when dad Dean played for rivals Bradford City, will be hoping to add the Lancashire club’s name to that list of sides to spring a shock at the Tigers’ expense.

It is a danger that Sam Clucas, goalscorer in the victory over Huddersfield, is ready to face.

“Accrington away will be another tough game,” he said. “It is a tough place to go, it is in the Cup. We will be favourites but everyone fancies the underdogs, especially on home turf.”

As for how Windass senior thinks the tie will pan out, the former striker said: “Never mind me being ex-Hull City or a club ambassador, I just want my son to do well.

“I want Hull City to get in the Premier League, that is the priority for the club this season. If you offered Steve Bruce a run in the League Cup or promotion then I am certain which one he would pick.

“Not that he will want to lose. But I’d imagine the weekend league game will be much more important to him.

“If I had to pick an ideal night, Josh will play well and, hopefully, score but Hull City will win the match. Though, if Josh gets the winner then no-one will be cheering louder than me.”

Last six games: Accrington Stanley DDDLWD, Hull City WLLLDW

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).

Last time: Accrington Stanley 0 Hull City 1; February 7, 1959; Division Four.